NSHE Joins National Initiative to Streamline College Credit Transfer and Recognition of Work Experience Toward Degree Completion

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) proudly joins 11 other higher education systems and institutions in a national initiative aimed at streamlining credit transfers and accelerating degree completion for students. As part of the Holistic Credit Mobility (HCM) Acceleration Cohort, NSHE will work alongside national experts to develop policies and practices that simplify credit transfer and strengthen the recognition of learning gained through work, military service, and other non-traditional experiences, ensuring students receive credit for skills they have already mastered.

Led by Ithaka S+R in collaboration with Complete College America (CCA) and funded by Ascendium Education Group, the project will focus on breaking down barriers that prevent students from applying previously earned credits—whether from coursework, job training, or other validated learning—toward degree completion. “The ability to transfer credits efficiently is a game-changer for students navigating today’s complex higher education landscape,” said Amy J. Carvalho, Chair of the NSHE Board of Regents. “Through this initiative, NSHE is reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that every student’s hard work counts toward their future success.”

Supporting Nevada’s Workforce and Student Success

Today’s students are more mobile than ever, earning credits in a variety of ways—including dual enrollment in high school, military training, and industry certifications. However, complicated and inconsistent credit transfer policies often result in students losing credits when they move between institutions, costing them valuable time and money.

NSHE’s participation in the HCM cohort will directly support statewide workforce and student success initiatives, including those prioritized by the NSHE Workforce Committee and the NSHE Strategic Plan. By aligning policy, technology, and best practices, this effort will help more students earn their degrees on time and enter Nevada’s workforce prepared for in-demand careers. This also creates more opportunities for professionals already in the workforce to upskill or complete a degree, making higher education more accessible for those balancing work and education. “By participating in this initiative, NSHE is taking a major step toward removing barriers to degree completion and ensuring that students—no matter where or how they earn their credits—can achieve their educational and career goals,” said Chancellor Patricia Charlton.

What This Means for Nevada Students

As part of this 12-month national effort, NSHE will focus on:

• Developing best practices to align and validate credits earned from various sources.
• Exploring scalable technology solutions to track student progress, assess prior learning, and streamline the credit transfer process.
• Refining policies and procedures to make transferring credits easier and more predictable.
• Using data analytics to identify barriers and enhance student outcomes.
• Enhancing prior learning assessment processes to help students receive credit for knowledge gained through professional experience, certifications, and military training.

“Many students in Nevada and across the country face significant challenges when transferring between colleges or seeking credit for past learning experiences,” said Natalie Brown, NSHE Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Community Colleges. “By participating in this initiative, NSHE will work to improve the credit transfer process and expand the recognition of prior learning, ultimately making it more efficient, transparent, and student-friendly.”

A National Collaboration for Change

NSHE joins a diverse group of state higher education systems, institutions, and policy organizations committed to improving credit mobility. The full list of cohort members includes:

• Eastern Washington University (regional education and training organizations)
• EDWorks of Northeast Tennessee
• Idaho State Board of Education
• Louisiana Board of Regents
• Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
• Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development
• Ohio Department of Higher Education
• Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
• Shasta College/North State Together Partnership
• South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
• University System of Georgia

Over the next year, these institutions will collaborate with national experts, participate in research studies, and develop an action plan for improving credit mobility. The initiative will culminate in the release of a national playbook, sharing best practices and strategies for ensuring students’ credits transfer seamlessly across institutions.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.